By the end of the 1970s, Charles Blackman OBE’s (1928–2018) status as a premier Australian artist was cemented. Perhaps best known for his series of paintings incorporating schoolgirls with flowers and Alice in Wonderland figures and motifs, he exhibited prolifically throughout his life. Judy Cassab AO CBE painted this portrait of her friend in 1979. Captured at the height of his career, Blackman is depicted as a confident and successful artist, comfortable in his surroundings, and portrayed through Cassab’s signature expressionist style. Shortlisted for the 1979 Archibald Prize, the painting shows Blackman in his then synonymous beret, seated before a large, leaning painting of a reclining nude. Cassab made another portrait of Blackman 20 years later, saying: ‘I painted Charles Blackman first of all because he is a great artist – in the sense that he is poetic, lyrical and inventive – and because he is a friend.’
Gift of Warwick Evans 2021. Donated through the Australian Government's Cultural Gifts Program.
© Judy Cassab/Copyright Agency, 2026
The National Portrait Gallery respects the artistic and intellectual property rights of others. Works of art from the collection are reproduced as per the
Australian Copyright Act 1968 (Cth). The use of images of works from the collection may be restricted under the Act. Requests for a reproduction of a work of art can be made through a
Reproduction request. For further information please contact
NPG Copyright.
